James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator van Turnhout spoke about the early childhood care and education, ECCE, contract, the learner fund and the higher level 7 qualification. As has been indicated, we want at least one level 6 qualified leader per centre. I hope future learner funds will be able to address level 7 qualifications. The focus to date has necessarily been on levels 5 and 6. We will get there incrementally. While I fully accept we need more highly qualified leaders at the very top, we need to ensure that we bring up the base level all the time to ensure all children get a quality service and care.